Vale David Dalaithngu AM

We mourn the passing of the once-in-a-generation artist whose career included such landmark films as Walkabout, The Tracker and Charlie’s Country.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story contains images of a person who has died. A modified version of his name and images have been used with his family’s consent.

David Dalaithngu AM was a titan of the Australian screen industry, a traditional man raised on Country whose exquisite dancing, electric performances and remarkable charisma made him an international star.

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Richard Watts is ArtsHub's National Performing Arts Editor; he also presents the weekly program SmartArts on Three Triple R FM, and serves as the Chair of La Mama Theatre's volunteer Committee of Management. Richard is a life member of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, and was awarded the status of Melbourne Fringe Living Legend in 2017. In 2020 he was awarded the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards' Facilitator's Prize. Most recently, Richard was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Green Room Awards Association in June 2021. Follow him on Twitter: @richardthewatts